TaintedLogic's audio Reviews on Newgrounds

[REBIRTH: On Crystal Wings]

Wow. Much more electronic than I'm used to hearing from you. I like the bouncy synths and arpeggiated patterns at the beginning. Of course, the orchestral elements seep in after a while, but the electronic harmonies seem to underpin the piece to a large extent. I like the percussion at 1:10 and the dense rhythm in the background at 1:45ish. The cutesy synth at 1:55 kinda sounds like Yoshi's voice. :D The rhythm at 2:35 between the melodies and percussion is really interesting - even clashing a bit. The minimal conga pattern at 2:52 seemed a bit dry, but it flows nicely into the atmospheric synth patterns thereafter. The syncopations later on are really neat, too - I especially like the heavy hats that pop in at around 4:30. The tune also takes on a more blissful tone towards the end, and I like how you brought back the orchestral instruments for the coda. I'd imagine that helps this piece flow nicely into the rest of the album, and I'll look forward to verifying that on August 2nd. Cheers, Syamori! ^_^

[Beware - AIM]

I like the cutesy and mischievous-sounding melodies at the beginning. The crisp beats and atmospheric flair to this mesh very well together. The vocals are full of whimsy and personality, and the lyrics themselves are also really neat, and have a nice comedic element too. The creepy backing vocals remind me of some early Connor Grail tracks ("Not You Again" from 2017 AIM, for example). The structure of this piece is so effective - it tells a story for sure, but the harmonic framework remains very internally consistent. The mixing and mastering is top-notch here, Spadez, and honestly I had no idea you were such a talented vocalist. You've totally got me in the mood for Halloween in June. Best of luck in AIM! ^_^

Spadezer responds:

Pulled a fast on on you guys with the vocals. I've wanted to use lyrics for quite a while but never found a good way to use them until this.

[Anima Sentia]

I like the crisp strings at the beginning and the buzzy atmospheric effects. The mastering quality is particularly impressive here, and the airy synths at :33 serve well to push the reset button before the orchestral elements come back in. The guitar solos at 1:06 also fit into the flow well. The minimalist beat in the background throughout most of the piece really helps tie things together, despite the large amount of variation in the texture. I like how you brought back the crisp strings for the end to make the piece come full-circle. The little swell of voices at the end also tells me there's more of the album to come. :) Energetic yet pensive, catchy yet atmospheric, you nailed it again, Syamori! Congrats on the new album. ^_^

Baumarius responds:

Thanks TL! I appreciate the review. This is one of my latest tracks, so it makes sense that much of what I've learned would shine through. I definitely had fun with this one - it reflects how I've been feeling lately.

This song and the album as a whole is a statement that I'm finally awakening musically and personally - as if I'm finally showing up. I think I've finally figured out mastering too! After picking apart my music with my new headphones, I've realized that there's so much misinformation out there about how to actually master your music...

The next track (On Crystal Wings) is up on my NG if you'd like to listen as well! I'm gonna save the rest for release day :D

[[AIM] I Am the Entire Circus]

I like how the texture is somehow both ambient and gritty. The chopped vocals mesh well with the spacey pads. The transition at 1:08 was a tad rough, although the bridge with the piano at 1:40 was a nice injection of tonality. Then, when the distorted synths come back at 2:06, the beat there helps them stay grounded a bit more. Really interesting piece. Overall, I like the experimental texture and mastering work. Cheers, LN! ^^

[~8,760 Hours]

The upbeat mood at the beginning is really nice. The E-piano at :12 adds a fun, jazzy flair to the piece, and also keeps some of the brighter-sounding synths grounded in a tranquil and languid mood. The melodies at :42 are neat rhythmically, if not quite as dynamic in pitch as I'm used to hearing from you. The scaled-back breakdown at 1:35 was a good segue into the section at 1:47 with the prominent percussion and additional injection of energy from the glitches and melody instruments. The solos at the end with the little rolled glitches (like at 2:49) are beautiful, and really add a sense of closure to a piece that was somehow both calming and chaotic. I like how the atmosphere gets richer as the volume decreases towards the end, too. Keep up the good work, LLAPPPSSEE! ^_^

LLAAPPSSEE responds:

<3<3<3<3<3
best reviews.

[Sentience Bazaar]

I like the jazzy tone at the beginning. Like many of your pieces, it seems like the backing track for a moment of decision-making or personal reflection that's very character-driven. Not about which flavor of ice cream to choose, but whether a person's essence is embodied in ice cream or meat and potatoes. One is carefree and optimistic, and the other is more solid and real (though not particularly healthy either). Anyway, the flute-like melody instrument adds a great sense of buoyancy to the piece later on, and the dreamy atmosphere and solid mixing give it a sense of balance and blending. This is relaxing and pensive, but also catchy and engaging. The texture of the flutes - staccato-y and crisp, despite the reverb - is the thing that sticks with me the most. Keep at it, LLAAPPSSEE! ^_^

LLAAPPSSEE responds:

You are what you eat, eh? *laugh track*

This pesky existence stuff is always poking and prodding. I suppose it's nice we have this ability to influence our reality though. Sometimes it feels like your hard-stuck no matter what you do. Choice fatigue got me down.

The flute-like sound you're hearing is actually piano. ;)
It has a very sharp volume envelope cut on it that creates the staccato feeling + some heavy and quick-acting tremolo effect for that warbling + delay/reverb, If I recall correctly. Outside of the use here, it kinda has a 60/70's funky feel to it when you play it dry and harder. When played softly it has a pleasant lilting feeling. Was sorta an accident. :D

[This Song Means Nothing]

It means nothing until someone gives it a meaning, so let me try to do just that. I like the synth at :05 a lot - sounds like a guitar in a way. The characteristic glitchiness seeps in just in time for the energy of the beat to join it. The snare seems a bit high-pitched and almost tinny for my tastes, and the volume balance on some of the other elements (the loud, mid-range synth at 1:15, for example) seems a little off. The melodies at around 1:30 are super nice, though, and the wet ambient effects at 2:05 make for a great transition into the next section. The variability in this piece is truly impressive, but at the same time the flow is very smooth throughout. The effects at 2:55 are a bit harsh-sounding, but I like how they vacillate in a wave-like structural form - is there an echo/delay effect on them? The tame (though eerie) ending to the piece seems fitting, too. The entire track sounds like a search for getting the most out of life - for stability even at a high level of performance. The protagonist says he'll die for glory, but in reality his plans end with a whimper, not a bang. The aspiring actor moves back to Ohio from Los Angeles, and maybe she goes back to school. The independent business owner, faced with setbacks, ends up finding more fulfillment with 2 kids and a dog instead of in his career. That's what this song means to me. It's about the internal dissonance between what we dare to dream vs. how we ultimately live our lives. And any song that can put such a strong (though abstract) image in my mind is a good one, LLAAPPSSEE! Keep it up.

LLAAPPSSEE responds:

Been a while since I've made this. Can't totally say for sure what the effect is @2:55. I think it's some time-stretching+panning/granular synthesis inspired thing.

Title is basically a long way to say it's "untitled" -- It /might/ even be a bit deflective/reflective. Maybe the brain can find meaning in anything when there isn't inherently anything? Ideally, I think I'd like to leave everything untitled and let people feel the way they want. Is it meaningful or is it simply what I like to hear and make? Solving self-created audio puzzles. Why do these arrangement of frequencies feel expressive? I chose them for a reason, right? Easier to face myself sonically? Need to get an audio-psychoanalyst in here.

I've always wanted to a do a small project where I title things in a joyous way, but the music is dour as heck. Just to mess with people -- an extension of how my failing persona is or something.

What you get out of it is quite interesting. It's definitely a relatable feeling. I think if you love doing something you should always try and make some time for it. That said, these priorities can change. What if you're stuck in the dream because no other life is for you? You toil away. Existence seems easy, but happiness is hard. These paths find you sometimes though. Sometimes you don't know you wanted something till you're in it. The future is a wild place. I think a lot of people struggle with this sorta dissonance in their lives. Sometimes it's ok to not settle on the answer. Be the devil and the advocate. :\

but, enough of my psuedo-psudeo'ing. Sussudio.

[The Isles of Self-Once-Whole]

Wow! Art-Inspired Music outside of the contest itself. :D I like the glitchy texture and ominous tone at the beginning. The mix is clean and clear, and the rhythmic percussion and effects blend well with the tranquil instrumental tracks. I'm really liking the soaring melodies at 2:03 and the glissandos at 2:21. You've really captured a complex mix of emotions with this one - external triumph amidst internal struggle, perhaps. The twittering synth line at 3:42 is gorgeous, and the distorted pads that carry the piece through the middle section are a good balance of calm and a slight edge. The breakdown at 4:30 gives the piece a great sense of dynamic contrast, so much so that the moody vibe at 5:45 feels like a completely different track in a way. The jazzy solos for the next couple of minutes or so are great, and the gradually more glitchy background elements work really well with the oscillating intensity of the solos. It's almost a long-form call-and-response between the glitches and the jazzy melodies, and it sounds beautiful. What can I say, LLAAPPSSEE? You nailed it again. If I had to complain about something, it might be that the ending felt a tad sudden. But that might just be because I want to hear more of your music, haha. Cheers! ^_^

LLAAPPSSEE responds:

I didn't even realize the contest was going on till you mentioned it, haha. Art and literature has inspired me a good bit through the years.

Y'know, it's pretty funny and perceptive that you mentioned the end of the track. It was something I always felt to when I'd come back and listen to it. I actually edited the track many years later and added that ambient reverb tail outro, haha. It used to just end more abruptly. I guess my past self liked it that way for some reason. The way it is now it's l like the islands sunk under the sea or something. I never really knew how to end this piece. It's been a while since I've made a song this length, but some pieces I could just riff on seemingly endlessly.

[Amiss]

I like the airy tone at the beginning and the vacillating tone of the piece - seems cheery and full of wonder at one moment, and the stuff of horror films at others, and sometimes both at once. The texture is pretty minimal, but it makes for a good ambiance. The denser rhythm at 2:09 was a good way of adding some variety to the structure in a piece that otherwise has a pretty uniform texture. The loop doesn't seem to be that smooth, but I'm also not sure it's intended to be. Just wouldn't be an AIM without an LSD submission! Cheers, Ale. ^_^

LucidShadowDreamer responds:

Hey there!
I'm glad you enjoyed the oxymoronic feel of this piece. I was really close to missing this AIM, but thankfully @Everratic reminded me of the NGADM, and then I happened to see the AIM deadline at the same time. It's been a hectic year for me, but I hope to be getting back to music a bit more now after the summer :D

As for the loop, try downloading the piece, put your DAW to 7/8, at tempo 107, and set it to loop, and I think the loop should be seamless (some DAWS might be able to loop the audio-file without changing any settings). I also know that the Winamp player is capable of it, but only on the Windows version. It's a shame, because Newgrounds used to be able to loop songs almost flawlessly, but not since the new player. The only way is to have a bit of complete silence at the beginning and end of the piece, and even then it jumps almost a beat, which limits composing a bit if you do it with the player in mind :V

[Gaea]

SFW! It's been too long, my friend. I like the tranquil and pensive mood at the beginning. Sounds like robot babies learning how to walk for the first time. XD You set the atmosphere really nicely, and the gentle build into :55 was well-done. The snare-equivalent there sounds a tad grating to me - I might've softened the treble tones and added some reverb, but in general I'm not sure I'm qualified to give you of all people production advice, lol. :D The uplifting mood and floaty atmosphere is a 10/10, though, and the piece has a good sense of build into 3:10. You might've been able to sell the emotional quality of 3:10 a tad more, as that felt like the climax of the piece. That said, the piano at the end was a wise choice - really makes the piece come full-circle. Solid work, SFW! You're clearly a really talented and versatile composer. ^_^

sleepFacingWest responds:

Thank you! I always look forward to your insightful feedback. That sine wave snare can get a bit harsh. I was trying to replicate something I’d heard nearly a decade ago at a modern dance event and unfortunately never got to speak with the composer about his sound design technique. It was like he took a bunch of super high sine waves, loaded them into an inflated balloon, then sprayed them out through a wet filter. It was incredible. This emulation is a bit more hard, but I think my ears got used to it after awhile.
Thanks you for listening!